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MONDAY EDITION: The new beam
worked great during the Field Day event at the CAARA Club. Weather
was perfect and a good time was had by all.....
Joe-K1JEK starting a new fashion trend up at NH FD
on left and Rich- K1FSR operating
SSB at Gloucester Club in MA on the right
The Gloucester club, CAARA, ran field day at the
club running W1GLO 3A EMA...shooting the breeze and eating were the
main event.
We did have operation for 24 hours straight but fun was the man
event, not contesting....club security cam picture
Our club in Gloucester, MA
Your chance to visit the Radio Caroline ship, MV Ross
Revenge in August during GB55RC
2019 is the 55th anniversary of Radio
Caroline and the Martello Tower Group are going to be
celebrating this by running a ‘special’ special event from
MV Ross Revenge from the 1st to the 5th August
using the callsign GB55RC.
In previous years, they’ve operated from the Ross Revenge and
made many thousands of contacts. This year should be even busier
with the unique callsign GB55RC
The fully insured tender will depart from Mersea Island at 10:00
and 13:00 on the 3rd and 4th August for the approximately twenty
minute journey to Ross Revenge. You will be greeted by
members of the Martello Tower Group, offered a drink and then given
a tour of the ship, including transmitter and generator rooms,
studios and the record library. You will also see GB55RC being
operated from the main Mess Room of the ship.If you’re interested,
please see the qrz page for GB55RC here: https://www.qrz.com/db/GB55RC which
has more details and if you’d like to book, please email
gb55rc@martellotowergroup.com making sure you say which trip
you’d like to be on, Saturday or Sunday at 10:00 or 13:00.
A pickup truck in rural New Hampshire struck and
killed seven on motorcycles Friday night. The crash ignited a small
fire in a nearby wooded area and left a wreckage of damaged vehicles
and the bodies of victims strewn across the highway.
State police said a Dodge pickup truck hit the group of motorcycles
around 6:30 p.m. Friday along U.S. 2 in Randolph.
Authorities are still investigating what caused the deadly
collision. Police have not released the names of the victims or the
pickup driver, who witnesses said survived the incident.
"It's tragic," New Hampshire State Police Capt. Chris Vetter
told reporters Friday night. "Our concern right now is with the
victims, the victims' families and anybody else who was adversely
affected by this accident," he said.
Police said two other motorcyclists were injured and one person was
airlifted to an area hospital after the crash on the two-lane
highway.
Some of the riders were members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club,
which comprises active and veteran Marines. They were on their way
to a bike gathering in northern New Hampshire, said Charlie St.
Clair, executive director of Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, a
large motorcycle gathering that ended last weekend.
More P.E.I. women taking up amateur radio
CBC News reports more women on Prince Edward Island, Canada, are
taking up amateur radio
Stephanie vanKampen writes:
Therese Mair dons headphones while her fingers
fiddle with a scanner, searching for a voice through the static.
She goes on air from her home-made station in Georgetown, P.E.I.,
with her call letters VY2TAM everyday and chats
with strangers.
"What I love is being able to talk to people around the world that I
don't know," she said. "I just randomly talked to somebody in
Croatia this morning."
Mair is new to amateur radio, commonly known as ham radio. But she's
already showing other women the ins and outs of the hobby at an
annual event being held in Charlottetown.
Julieanne Scales, 20, came to the event hoping to
learn more about the hobby. She said seeing other women operators
makes it more attractive.
"To know that there are more women in this as well is encouraging
and I'd definitely like to take part."
Read the full story at
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/10-per-cent-more-p-e-i-women-learning-ham-radio-1.5186772
FIELD DAY WEEKEND: I should
get some photos of our version of Field Day later today. I can
predict that less total points will be scored in the contest than
pounds of food eaten at our cookout, we are not a contest
club....Fancy
dining experience....Robert
Kraft will walk free and clear of all charges, good to have
money.....Alien base found on
planet Mercury....
FROM A
PREPPER'S PAGE:
Here is a reminder on an
upcoming rule change by the FCC: On September 30, 2019,
it will become illegal to sell or “offer for sale” (advertise)
radios like the popular Baofeng UV-5R that can operate in the FRS
radio band (462.5625 – 462.7250 MHz) and any other licensed band in
a single device. Manufacturers will have to either quit selling them
or block out the FRS bands–like they already do for the current
cellular bands. This is the relevant verbiage:
§ 95.591 Sales of FRS combination radios prohibited.
Effective September 30, 2019, no person shall sell or offer
for sale hand-held portable radio equipment capable of operating
under this subpart (FRS) and under any other licensed or
licensed-by-rule radio services in this chapter (devices may be
authorized under this subpart with part 15 unlicensed equipment
authorizations).
I strongly recommend stocking up on dual band Baofeng
UV-5R handie-talkies before this regulatory change takes place.
Presently, if bought in
a set of five, the cost per transceiver is only around $23 each,
postage paid. By law, these may still be bought by any adult. But a
license is needed to operate them outside of the no-license FRS,
GMRS, and MURS bands. (That is, in the amateur operators’ bands.)
Note that this upcoming ban WILL NOT be a ban on
the possession or use of FRS dual band ham
radios. Nor will be it be illegal to gift them to
other adults. Hence, any that are legally owned on or before
September 30th will effectively become “grandfathered”. Read between
the lines folks: The FCC doesn’t want non-licensed individuals to
own radios that can transmit in both licensed bands and
unlicensed bands. My supposition is that this is because in the long
term they don’t want unlicensed folks to have plausible
deniability for toting around ham band-capable gear.
Ironically, it was a few boot-licking sycophants within the
ham community that pushed for this rule change. Often, people
jealously guard their own privileges and want to deny privileges to
others who are not in their elite clique. This is essentially a
Country Club Members mentality.
So, reiterating my advice: Buy
a box of five of these, or perhaps two boxes, while
they are still readily available and affordable. The FCC rule change
won’t go into effect until September 30, 2019. But
if you wait until July or August, then it will probably be too late.
It is very likely that by then they will be sold out, or their price
will escalate. But for now, they can be had for
just $23 per transceiver. Within another month or so, they will be
history. The countdown clock is ticking.
Don’t hesitate on this one.
Also note that there will also be some room for profit from the
upcoming ban. It is safe to assume that just in the months of August
and September, you may be able to double your money, if you decide
to sell off any of your spare “new in package” UV-5R transceivers.
But starting September 30th, you will only be able to give them
away–not advertise or sell them.
Update: Several readers wrote to mention that
there are a few other more capable but still quite affordable
Baofeng models that will also become import-banned on September
30th. These include:
Regardless of the model that you choose, I recommend getting one
spare battery (preferably the long
3800mAh capacity
one), and at least one spare antenna per transceiver. The latter,
because the Baofeng antennas are notoriously fragile.
For Baofeng frequency programming instructions (both from the
keypad, and “off-board” with a CHIRP cable and PC), see
this web page.
Celebrating the 100 years of WWV
An event in Northern Colorado and
a special event amateur radio station
We’re glad you’ve joined us to help celebrate the World’s
oldest continually operating radio station, WWV,
as it turns 100 on October 1, 2019 - less than 5 months!
The National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) and the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club
(NCARC) have reached an agreement and are working together to
organize the event.
NIST will focus on the plans for Tuesday, October 1, 2019,
when they will host a recognition ceremony and an open house at
the radio station north of Fort Collins.
NCARC will operate a special event amateur radio station,
call sign WW0WWV, on the WWV property starting
September 28 and going 24-hours a day through October 2, 2019.
The goal is to make as many U.S. and world-wide contacts during
the 120-hour period as possible, using multiple bands and
multiple modes on at least 4 simultaneous transmitters. The
effort will require hundreds of volunteer operators.
WW0WWV will also operate a Get On The Air station for
facilitating school and museum contacts over the 5 days of
operation.
The 100th anniversary is an occasion to celebrate radio and
we hope you can join us here in Northern Colorado.
Using AIS metadata to monitor propagation in the 2m band
Prognosis, monitoring and analysis of propagation conditions are
a basis for kilometres and points in DX competition. As a new tool
to monitor propagation in the 2m band, D4C has
started receiving vessel AIS data.
AIS is a maritime NMEA standard, through which ships continuously
transmit signals at approximately 12.5 Watts using a ground plane
antenna. The evaluation of the AIS position data - which can, for
example, be visualized by DXMaps under "AIS" - show when and how
periods of enhanced propagation occur, in real time. Therefore, log
data of successful radio connections are not used, but rather
received signals on the 2 AIS channels at 162 MHz (+- 25KHz).
To receive AIS signals at D4C’s location (also D4Z and D41CV) on
the Cape Verde Islands (Ilha de São Vicente), the team concluded an
antenna partnership with the company Vesseltracker.com GmbH, through
which they received their AIS receiver equipment free of charge.
The observation of the AIS signals led the team to set the IARU
R1 Troposcatter record several times during the summer of 2018. On
05 August 2018, D4Z (Operated by EA8FF Mark De Munck) worked EI3KD
Mark Turner in IO51VW, with a total distance of 4163 km in CW
operation.
Some weeks later, on 25 September 2018, the record was repeated
by the connection D4Z - G3SMT IO82KV in CW, with a distance of
4436km.
Links:
D4C:
http://d4c.cc/official-new-iaru-r1-144-mhz-tropo-records/
IARU Reg.1 DX:
http://vushf.dk/vushf/wp-content/plugins/IARU-DxList/ShowQso.php?Call=M0VRL&
Band=144%20MHz&
Propagation=TR&Distance=4430
Vesseltracker.com GmbH:
www.vesseltracker.com/en/community
Chicago RAIN to cease
This week's WIA News reports that Hap Holly, KC9RP,
who’s been producing the The RAIN Report Amateur
Radio newscast every week for 30 years, has announced that he’s
retiring and closing down
The RAIN Report (Radio Amateur Information Network) archives will
remain online for those who want to download and/or broadcast them,”
Hap told ARRL.
A ham since 1969, Holly, a prolific reporter of Dayton Hamvention®
news and forum accounts over the years, said he’ll produce
a“Farewell to The RAIN Report” newscast. The grand finale could run
over more than one episode and will include clips from individuals
heard on The RAIN Report in past years.
Holly, who just turned 68, was named Hamvention’s 2002 Amateur of
the Year, which he called “a very special honour.”
He produced The RAIN Report, which typically runs 10 to 15
minutes, from his home studio/ham shack in suburban Chicago.
In addition to being available via the internet, The RAIN Report
is
transmitted over a wide network of Amateur Radio repeaters.
UK amateur radio exam statistics for 2018 released
On June 20 the RSGB released the Examinations Standards
Committee (ESC) report which covers 2018 and has some
limited data for the first 3 months of 2019
During 2018 they were a total of 2592 candidates for all three
levels of exam but only 234 of them were women, just 9%
The ESC make this comment on Foundation numbers:
"it is seen that over the past five years there has been a slow
decline in the number of Foundation candidates, averaging about 2%
per year"
Regarding the Intermediate exam the ESC say:
"the Intermediate pass rate, which increased to 96% in 2018,
suggests that the exam does not discriminate sufficiently well
between candidates"
On the proposed new single exam to go straight to Full licence the
ESC say:
"The Examinations Group have prepared a draft syllabus, based on
Syllabus 2019, for an exam that will provide direct entry to a Full
licence, like the old RAE."
"The ESC has agreed that the syllabus will be put out for
consultation in the UK amateur radio community. This consultation
will take place later in 2019."
A table is provided giving candidates average ages. It appears the
exams mainly appeal to people in late-middle age. The Foundation
exam attracts the "youngest" people with an average age of 44
years-old.
The age breakdown given for Region 8 (Northern Ireland) appears
unusual. These average ages are given:
Foundation 48, Intermediate 38, Advanced 38
These figures are used to provide an overall average age which
appears as 53 ?
Internet Access to some ARRL Systems May Be Disrupted on June 23
Maintenance work on Sunday, June 23, may disrupt internet access
to ARRL Headquarters systems — including VPN connections and
Logbook of the World. The main website should remain online
during this outage, which could last for up to 6 hours on June
23, starting at approximately midnight EDT (0400 UTC on June
24). All services will automatically resume as soon as
connectivity is restored. Email should not be affected. Any
orders placed via the ARRL Store during the outage will be
queued for handling after connectivity returns. We apologize for
any inconvenience. The Latest Episode of ARRL Audio News is Available
Listen to the new episode of ARRL Audio News on your iOS or
Android podcast app, or online at
http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/. Audio News is
also retransmitted on a number of FM repeaters. Click
here and
then scroll down to see the list.
FRIDAY EDITION: Bringing you the
latest news with no excessive ID'ing, self promotion, or advertising
daily- foggy, rainy, and 60 here at the island compound...A
good day to go over to the club and try making some contacts with
the new beam and see how she plays. The weather makes no difference
for us, we are operating out of the club building- heat, ac,
kitchen, cookout grill, bathrooms, beams, all modes, everything all
setup,....yep, another fluff Field Day...FCC Proposal for
digital AM.....Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum
Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), an independent German research institute,
find that the tidal forces of Venus, Earth and Jupiter influence the
solar magnetic field, and may be a governing force of the 11-year
solar cycle.
https://www.space.com/planets-affect-solar-cycle.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-05/hd-tsf052719.php.....Interview
with Jet.....A
treetop level view of downtown Ottawa and Washington Square will be
the backdrop Saturday afternoon for a look at the
basics of ham radio.....Having had three bulldogs, I an
see this happening....
Video highlights RF pollution from electrical devices
When Argentina was plunged into darkness by a nationwide
power cut Luciano Petruccelli LU3DX made a
video showing just how much RF pollution is produced by
electronic devices
Watch his video showing how little interference there was during
the power cut on June 16, 2019, followed by massive RF pollution
when power was restored:
https://twitter.com/ure_es/status/1141397089047519234
How to use a Spectrum Analyzer
Spectrum analysers are one of the most important test instruments
for the RF designer. Rather than displaying amplitude against time
as with the case of the oscilloscope, these test instruments display
amplitude against frequency giving a plot of the signals.
Looking at the control panel of a spectrum analyzer, there are
very many different controls to use and this may appear daunting to
some.
Analogue spectrum analyzers often had controls that needed to be
used in conjunction with each other. Fortunately, today, the
digitally based spectrum analyzers are processor controlled and
these controls are linked to provide the optimum selection, making
the use of spectrum analyzers much easier. They also have a variety
of pre-installed routines that can make some tests very much easier.
Find out all about how to use a spectrum analyzer - including a
video showing the use of the various controls and their use on this
test instrument:
https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/test-methods/spectrum-analyzer/how-to-use-spectrum-analyzer-operation.php
Behind the scenes of an ARISS contact
On June 20, 2019, anyone in the UK with access to a 2m receiver
had the opportunity to listen to a contact between a UK school and
astronaut Nick Hague KG5TMV aboard the
International Space Station
This is part of the ARISS program (Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station), and a huge amount of effort goes into
making this happen – in the UK, mostly as a result of the efforts of
Ciaran M0XTD and the ARISS Operations UK Team.
Although we may know about the UK end of the contact – what of
the coordination at the NASA end?
Listen to the 2017 Essex Ham interview with ISS Ham Radio
Coordinator Kenneth Ransom N5VHO at
https://www.essexham.co.uk/news/behind-the-scenes-of-an-ariss-contact.html
LightSail 2 Set to Launch on June 22
The Planetary Society’s citizen-funded
LightSail 2 solar-propelled spacecraft is
set to
launch on June 22 on board a SpaceX Falcon
Heavy. It will attempt the first controlled solar sail flight in
Earth orbit. LightSail 1 successfully completed its test flight
mission in 2015. LightSail® is aimed at testing “ solar
sailing” technology for CubeSats, which comprise
many Amateur Radio satellites. According to the Planetary
Society, solar sailing uses reflective sails to harness the
momentum of sunlight for propulsion. “One disadvantage to
CubeSats is that they typically lack propulsion, which limits
their range of applications,” The Planetary Society says.
“LightSail will demonstrate the viability of using solar sailing
for CubeSats.” Scientific collaboration between The Planetary
Society and Russia led to the creation of Cosmos 1, a
solar sail spacecraft launched aboard a repurposed ICBM. But
test flights in 2001 and 2005 failed due to problems with the
launch vehicle. The first successful solar sail was launched by
Japan in 2010, when the IKAROS spacecraft was deployed from a
Venus-bound space probe.
NASA has looked into using solar sails to de-orbit CubeSats
with atmospheric drag, and its Nanosail-D2 mission in 2010 was
successful. The Planetary Society’s LightSail program was
initiated a year earlier. It aimed to construct a CubeSat
similar to Nanosail-D that would demonstrate true solar sailing.
LightSail 1 snagged a slot aboard an Atlas V launch in 2015, but
the target orbit was not high enough for solar sailing thrust to
overcome atmospheric drag. The Planetary Society accepted the
free ride anyway and successfully tested the spacecraft’s sail
deployment mechanism.
LightSail 2 will be enclosed within Prox-1, a Georgia Tech
student-built spacecraft the size of a small washing machine.
Prox-1 will detach from the Falcon Heavy into a circular
720-kilometer orbit. A week later, it will deploy LightSail 2.
ARRL
THURSDAY EDITION: Big news in MA, we
have a gaming casino, Encore, opening up this weekend in Boston
Harbor. People will be lined up to lose money......Liberals in NY
are going to grant drivers licenses to illegal aliens, how is this
even possible? MA will ne next......
Pennsylvania Radio Amateur Dies in Tower Installation Mishap
A 62-year-old Union Dale, Pennsylvania, radio amateur — Leland
L. “Lee” Parsons III, N3LPJ — was killed on June 14 during a
tower installation project when a tower section he was working
on collapsed off State Route 2069 in Gibson Township.
Authorities said Parsons was apparently attempting to attach a
guy wire to the bottom tower section when it went over. Parsons
was an ARRL member and the president of the Susquehanna County
Amateur Radio Club. The online Wireless Estimator
called the incident “a stark reminder of
the dangers present this weekend during Field Day.” The article
cited a 2009 Field Day tower collapse that claimed the life of
57-year-old Larry Prelog, KE4PM — an experienced climber — while
he was installing an antenna. In that incident, two legs at the
base of the tower buckled.
The Wireless Estimator article also recalled the death
of the Reverend Paul Bittner, W0AIH, 84, a well-known radio
amateur, contester, and Field Day participant, who lost his life
last October when he fell from one of the towers at his
extensive antenna farm in Wisconsin.
Parsons was among the founding members of the Susquehanna
County Amateur Radio Club. He also belonged to the Wayne County
Amateur Radio Club.
IN THE MATTER OF DAVID S. LARSEN, SR.
WS2L , HIGHLAND PARK, NEW JERSEY.
Resolves EB investigation regarding Mr. Larsen's unauthorized
radio transmissions on public safety radio system.
Mr. Larsen,
(a) admits that he made unauthorized transmissions on spectrum
licensed to the Borough of Highland Park;
(b) agrees not to engage in unauthorized use of a radio station
in the future;
(c) surrenders his amateur radio license for cancellation, with
an agreement not to apply for a new amateur radio license for
three (3) years;
(d) surrenders radios in his possession that are capable of
transmitting on the spectrum licensed to the Borough of Highland
Park;
(e) agrees to pay a $7,500 civil penalty; and
(f) agrees to pay an additional $32,500 civil penalty if in the
next ten (10) years the Commission finds that he has made radio
transmissions without the requisite authority or otherwise
violates the terms of the Consent Decree.
ARRL ARDF Coordinator to Retire, New Coordinator Named
ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Coordinator Joe
Moell, K0OV, is stepping down after more than 20 years on the
job. Since he became ARRL ARDF Coordinator in February 1998,
Moell said the sport of on-foot transmitter hunting under
international rules has grown steadily in participation and
popularity. Since 2001, beginners and experts alike have
gathered each year for the USA Championships of ARDF.
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Jerry Boyd,
WB8WFK, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the new ARRL ARDF
Coordinator, effective on July 1. Boyd has been involved in ARDF
for many years and has been a frequent medal winner at USA’s
championships. He headed the team of organizers for the 2002,
2005, and 2011 USA and IARU Region 2 ARDF Championships, held in
his hometown. He was on Team USA for the 2004, 2006, and 2010
ARDF World Championships. Boyd also holds an appointment as ARRL
Official Observer Coordinator for the New Mexico Section.
The ARRL ARDF Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the
selection of Team USA members for the World ARDF Championships
in even-numbered years, selecting the location and organizers of
the annual USA ARDF Championships, and working with coordinators
and working groups of other nations and IARU regions to schedule
activities and develop rule updates, among other activities.
As Boyd prepares to take the reins, President Roderick has
expressed gratitude for all Moell has done for the advancement
of ARDF. Since the US began participating in the biennial ARDF
World Championships in 1998, the team has been better prepared
every time. The US won its first World Championships medal in
2006 and has medaled every competition since. Last year, the US
team garnered 10 medals, with more than half of the team members
standing on the medal podium at least once.
While Moell is retiring from the ARDF Coordinator position,
he will continue posting radio-orienteering event news and
photos on his Homing
In website and participating with other southern
California ARDF enthusiasts. He expressed his appreciation for
the efforts of all who have worked to make ARDF practices and
competitions available to aspiring champions. “ARDF has moved
from a novelty into the mainstream of Amateur Radio,” he said.
“It is recognized as an ideal way to interest young people in
our hobby and to get them started. Please keep up the good
work.” ARRL States, Counties, Municipalities Recognize Amateur Radio’s
Contributions in Advance of Field Day
Each year as
ARRL Field Day approaches, state and local
governments traditionally take advantage of the opportunity to
honor Amateur Radio in the form of various proclamations. The
following list of participating communities is not necessarily
comprehensive. In Arizona, Governor Douglas Ducey has
recognized June as “Amateur Radio Month.” In his commendation,
Ducey noted that the Amateur Radio Council of Arizona will
announce recipients of its Ham of the Year and Young Ham of the
Year awards, as well as scholarship awards. The governor also
cited Field Day’s role as an emergency communication exercise
and the contribution of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® and
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in providing emergency
communication support and its training.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis declared “Amateur Radio
Week in Florida” in a proclamation that lauded Amateur Radio’s
role as “a critical communication link in the event of a
disaster.” The proclamation also paid homage to SKYWARN weather
spotters.
In Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker declared June as “Amateur
Radio Month” in recognition of radio amateurs’ donation of their
services to support communication for state emergency and
disaster agencies, as well as for such organizations as The
American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. “Illinois’ radio
amateurs will continue to hone their communication skills by
operating during the simulated emergency preparedness exercise
known as ‘Field Day’ on June 22 – 23,” the governor said.
In Massachusetts, the Governor, Senate, and House of the
Commonwealth all have issued proclamations honoring Amateur
Radio in advance of Field Day. Governor Charles Baker proclaimed
June 22 as “Amateur Radio Day,” citing Amateur Radio’s role in
providing public service communication and support during
emergencies and disasters. The proclamation goes on to say,
“Massachusetts Amateur Radio operators have generously donated
their time, equipment, and knowledge to provide communities
support and technical training to local service clubs,
organizations, and interested citizens.” The House and Senate
resolutions expressed similar sentiments and extended
appreciation and best wishes to those taking part in Field Day.
(Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, credited
State Government Liaison Hank McCarl, W4RIG, for his
instrumental role in securing the proclamations.)
In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared June 18 –
24 as “Amateur Radio Week,” in recognition of Field Day and its
role as an emergency preparedness exercise.
In Missouri, Governor Michel Parson has declared “Amateur
Radio Week” in recognition of Amateur Radio’s role in emergency
communication and weather spotting. Parson also pointed to ham
radio’s function “to provide a bridge between peoples,
societies, and countries by creating friendships and [through]
the sharing of ideas.”
In Nebraska, Governor Pete Ricketts declared June 16 – 23 as
“Amateur Radio Week,” commending radio amateurs’ volunteer
service in emergencies as well as during public service events
and citing Field Day as an emergency communication
demonstration.
In Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has proclaimed the week of
June 16 as “Oklahoma Amateur Radio Week.” He cited the role
Amateur Radio has played in the development of worldwide radio
communication and their assistance during weather emergencies
and natural disasters. Oklahoma’s more than 10,000 hams
routinely demonstrate their value through public service and
donate time, skills, equipment, and services to assist those in
need, the governor said.
In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster has declared June
17 – 23 as “Amateur Radio Week” in that state and recognized
June 22 – 23 as “ARRL Amateur Radio Field Day.” He encouraged
South Carolinians to recognize Amateur Radio operators “for
their many contributions, including emergency communications and
other public service.”
In Wisconsin, Governor Terry Evers has proclaimed June 22 –
23 as “Amateur Radio Operator Recognition Days.” His citation
took note of Amateur Radio’s participation in ARES, SKYWARN, and
RACES — which work with the Wisconsin Department of Health
Services to provide emergency communication support to medical
facilities during emergencies — as well as Amateur Radio’s
support of Wisconsin Emergency Management.
In Wyoming, Governor Mark Gordon has proclaimed June 16 – 23
as “Amateur Radio Week,” in recognition of Amateur Radio’s
contributions in providing emergency communication during
emergencies.
Elsewhere, Daniel Neil, mayor of the City of Edmond, Oklahoma
— home to some 500 radio amateurs — has declared June 17 – 23 as
“Amateur Radio Week,” in order to “pay tribute to and show
appreciation to the Amateur Radio operators of our city.” The
mayor’s proclamation acknowledged the Edmond Amateur Radio
Society for providing training and instruction on matters
related to communications technology and promoting STEM
disciplines to youngsters.
The San Luis Obispo County, California, Board of Supervisors
has declared June as “Amateur Radio Month,” issuing a colorful
proclamation for the occasion that cites ham radio’s
contributions in emergency communication and public service.
The Ventura County, California, Board of Supervisors has
proclaimed June as “Amateur Radio Month,” citing ham radio’s
support of emergency and public service communication and ARRL
Field Day.
The community of Northfield Center Township, Ohio, expressed
its support for Field Day and Amateur Radio’s “long and proud
history of public service.”
Other jurisdictions honoring Amateur Radio and Field Day
include Arkansas and, separately, Benton County, Arkansas, Judge
Barry Moehring.
On June 22, the mayor of Bella Vista, Arkansas, in Benton
County will read an “Amateur Radio Week” proclamation from the
Bella Vista Ra
AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary
2019 marks AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary of Keeping Amateur
Radio in Space.
To help celebrate, we are sponsoring the AMSAT 50th
Anniversary Awards Program.
Full details are available at
https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/
dio Club’s Field Day site live on multiple repeaters. ARRL When disaster strikes, engineers provide comms and power
EE Times reports engineers outfitted a truck to provide support
for search-and-rescue operations through needed communications and
power
Whether it’s hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, or fires,
natural disasters disrupt communications and power, without which
first responders — police, firefighters, and resue workers — have a
much harder job. That’s why engineers, through IEEE, have stepped in
to help.
The Mobile Outreach VEhicle (MOVE) truck, on display at the 2019
International Microwave Symposium here, provides power (10 kW),
satellite internet access, citizens band, Ham Radio, and satellite
TV. With a home in Durham, North Carolina, the MOVE truck is staffed
by IEEE volunteers and has, so far, been deployed 12 times since
2016 to disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey in Texas and Irma in
Florida.
Read the EE Times story and watch the video at
https://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=
36&doc_id=1334809#
WEDNESDAY EDITION: Thankfully the
antenna is up, tested, and ready for Field Day. It took just two
hours to take down the A3 and install the TA-33, install connectors,
and test.
It's good to have friends in the trades, my days
of climbing are long gone...
On another front, Bob- KC1BBU out of Buzzards Bay
catches the first legal fish of the year, 32 inches long.
Next sunspot cycle may be 50% lower
NASA report research now underway may have found a reliable
new method to predict this solar activity
The Sun's activity rises and falls in an 11-year cycle. The
forecast for the next solar cycle says it will be the weakest of
the last 200 years.
The maximum of this next cycle – measured in terms of sunspot
number, a standard measure of solar activity level – could be 30
to 50% lower than the most recent one. The results show that the
next cycle will start in 2020 and reach its maximum in 2025.
The new research was led by Irina Kitiashvili,
a researcher with the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute
at NASA’s Ames Research Center, in California’s Silicon Valley.
It combined observations from two NASA space missions – the
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and the Solar Dynamics
Observatory – with data collected since 1976 from the
ground-based National Solar Observatory.
Kitiashvili’s method differs from other prediction tools in
terms of the raw material for its forecast. Previously,
researchers used the number of sunspots to represent indirectly
the activity of the solar magnetic field. The new approach takes
advantage of direct observations of magnetic fields emerging on
the surface of the Sun – data which has only existed for the
last four solar cycles.
Read the full story at
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/ames/solar-activity-forecast-for-next-decade-favorable-for-exploration
Bouvet Island DXpedition news
In a recent press release Bob, K4UEE says:
The deadline for requesting a partial 48% refund of your financial
contribution to 3YØZ has now passed (March 15,
2019).
A large number of you reponded favorably to the refund option and
either requested a refund, donated their refund to either the 3Y0Z
team, NCDXF, INDEXA or GDXF (German DX Fndn.) The process was
orderly and I thank you for your cooperation. These were very
unusual circumstances.
Any plans for the 3Y0Z team to attempt a return to Bouvet are
currently "on hold" as we want the Rebel DX Group to be free to
complete their efforts to activate Bouvet. We wish them good luck
and a safe, successful mission.
Vy 73,
Bob-K4UEE, 3Y0Z
Co-leader and Chief Financial Officer
TUESDAY EDITION: The big event is
almost here. Field Day! ARRL has some good promotional handouts and
video to show folks at your Field Day location, see below.....Want
to see what 2019 Field Day is all about? Watch the
ARRL 2019
Field Day Public Service Announcement or view
what several groups
uploaded to Youtube from their 2018 Field Day
activities. You can also listen to/download our 30 sec.
radio announcement for 2019 Field Day
(mp3)......This isn't
funny.....
ARRL Offers “What is Amateur Radio?” Video and PowerPoint
Presentation
ARRL has produced and is making available the downloadable
video,
“What is Amateur Radio?” to use at club meetings
and at public events, including ARRL Field Day, June 22 – 23. A
PowerPoint version is also available for members to
download. Recognizing the tremendous need and desire for such
a product among ARRL members, ARRL’s Lifelong Learning
Department initiated the project. ARRL Communications Content
Producer Michelle Patnode, W3MVP, produced the video, which runs
just under 3 minutes long.
The QST Editorial Department, with input from the
Lifelong Learning and Communications departments, developed the
script, and QST Assistant Editor Jen Glifort, KC1KNL,
collected and collated images. QST Managing Editor Becky
Schoenfeld, W1BXY, narrated the video. New to Field Day? START HERE!
Field Day is ham radio's open house. Every
June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up
temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate
ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and
our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness,
community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event.
Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the
most popular event in ham radio.
"What Is Field Day" (Printable PDF Flier)
Historic trans-Atlantic contact made on 144
MHz
A historic contact was made on Sunday the 16th June 2019 when
the Atlantic was spanned for the first time on 144 MHz.
D41CV on Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa managed
to work FG8OJ in Guadeloupe on 144.174 MHz using the FT8 digital
mode.
The distance was an incredible 3,867 kms.
To put that into context, the distance from the west coast of
Ireland to Newfoundland is 3,000 kms.
Tropo prediction maps show a path right across the Atlantic
and suggest that even more incredble contacts may be possible.
More info here...
https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2019/06/historic-trans-atlantic-contact-made-on.html
TM5TFV - Special Sailing Event
TM5TFV - Tour de France à la Voile 2019 on the
air!
The special callsign TM5TFV is activated by
the Amateur Radio Section of the A2RS.
This nautical race, departuring from Dunkirk, that happens
each year during the month of July on the North Sea and the Côte
d'Azur.
This activation is valid from :
5 to July 11.
13 to July 14.
16 to July 21.
All bands and all modes
We look forward to contacting you during this activation.
A SPECIAL QSL CARD IS GOING TO BE SENT VIA BUREAU
First introduced in 1946....
MONDAY EDITION:
Rare sighting of the sun this morning at 6:00 am, let's
see how long this lasts...Field Day is almost here, I would like to
post some of your pictures....so send some. I am visiting at least
three sites in my area. I have a few Cub scouts coming to operate at
the radio club and while some are operating the radio, I have some
hands on activities for the others. We will have a soldering lesson,
wiring series and parallel circuits, reading meters, etc. I am
hoping we can help the older scouts earn a radio merit badge ....
BSA Radio Merit Badge requirements below and start learning about
radio!
Requirement 1 Explain what radio is.
Requirement 2 Sketch a diagram of radio waves traveling &
explain DX, FCC, and ITU.
Requirement 3 Draw EM spectrum chart, label it, and locate
radio services on it.
Requirement 4 Explain how radio waves carry information.
Requirement 5 Explain & draw block diagram, schematic symbols,
& circuits.
Requirement 6 Explain safety precautions with radio gear.
Requirement 7 Visit a radio station and discuss it.
Requirement 8 Find out about radio careers.
Requirement 9a Amateur Radio Service.
Requirement 9b Broadcast Radio Service.
Requirement 9c Shortwave listening.
Famous YouTube biker 'dies in crash after riding bike with
feet while texting'....You have to
love Detroit.....Only in Florida can you get a
land deal like this....
2019 Winter VHF-UHF Field Day
The Winter solstice is next Friday, the 21st of June. Hence, the
2019 Winter VHF-UHF Field Day is next weekend !
For this event there is the first single set of rules.
No more Division 1 and Division 2. Scoring is now to be
distance-based.
So. Over Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd, Winter Field Day
fun and frolics is on for all you stalwart enthusiasts keen to brave
whatever the weather can throw at us.
That often means very different things in different places.
All the Sections and Sub-sections featured in past events remain,
as do the two-hour re-work period and the exchange of 6-character
locators for all contacts.
Rovers keen to travel cross-country from ridge to rise still have
to travel from Square to Square, but the scoring is based on
6-character locators from which distance between stations is
calculated.
You can concentrate your efforts on one band, if that’s what you
fancy, and go hammer and tongs to pile up contacts.
Alternatively, enter the Four-bands Sub-section.
You can operate on any two of the bands from six metres to
23 centimetres – or three bands, or the whole four !
You don’t have to be a “gun” operator with a “super station” to
get out there and have fun on the Field Day.
And remember, why not invite an F-call or Standard to join you in
the field or your home QTH?
Yes. Home stations are welcome !
You’ll find the rules on the VHF-UHF Field Days page of the WIA
website.
www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
While I’m here, I’d like to take the opportunity to pay a tribute
to one of Australia’s VHF-UHF pioneers – Joe Gelston VK7JG.
Unfortunately, he became a silent key last year but was honoured
recently to receive an Order of Australia in last weekend’s Queen’s
Birthday Honours.
Joe sat for his Amateur Operators Limited Certificate of
Proficiency in October 1965 and was issued with VK7ZJG in December
that year.
Later, in August 1976, he sat for his A-O-C-P and was issued
VK7JG in September.
Throughout his decades on the air, Joe became known for
establishing and maintaining VHF-UHF beacons and repeaters across
northern Tasmania, many in remote locations. For this work, he
received a WIA President’s Commendation in 2014.
Joe was also an Honorary Life Member of the Institute.
He set a number of VHF-UHF DX records, too.
On 6m, he set the Australian digital EME distance record in 2014
working EA8 delta baker mike, for a distance of more than 17,900 km.
On 2m, Joe set the VK7 DX record in 2006, working VK6AO over a
distance of 2967.7 km.
Up in the light spectrum, at 474 THz, in February 2005, Joe set
the Australian DX record of 167.7 km.
Many don’t know, or don’t recall, that he was active in WIA
affairs.
During the era before the National WIA was formed, Joe served on the
WIA Federal Council as the Tasmanian Division Federal Councillor,
from the late 1980s through to the mid-1990s.
He was a quiet achiever and is certainly missed.
Roger Harrison VK2ZRH
Interim Manager for the VHF-UHF Field Days
New Jersey lawmakers passed legislation
that would make it illegal to operate a drone while drunk.....what
a relief
The Democrat-led Senate approved the legislation 39-0 on
Thursday.
The National Conference on State Legislatures says at least 38
states are considering drone legislation this year, going beyond the
Federal Aviation Administration”s regulations.
The New Jersey bill would make operating a drone under the
influence of alcohol a disorderly persons offense, which carries a
sentence of up to six months in prison, a $1,000 fine or both. It
also would make using a drone to hunt wildlife and endanger people
or property a similar offense.
The legislation has already cleared a committee in the
Democrat-controlled Assembly.
NOTE:
AWT is an American satirical blog that
publishes daily articles on international, national, and
local news related to ham radio. AWT began publishing
online in 1990's during the infamous 14313 debacle which
resulted in many hams losing their licenses.
AWT articles cover current events, both real and
fictional, satirizing ham news organizations with stories,
editorials, received emails, tidbits picked up from
listening on the ham bands, etc. This publication’s humor
often depends on presenting mundane, everyday events as
newsworthy, surreal, or alarming It is done in fun, so
loosen up, life is too short to be bitching moaning and
crying....
New England Hams
you might run across 75
meters.........
K1TP-
Jon....Editor of As The World
Turns....
W1GEK-
Big Mike....Nearfest Cook, big
motor home, electronics software
engineer ...
AA1SB-
Neil...Living large traveling
the country with his
girlfriend...loves CW
N1YX-
Igor....peddles quality Russian
keys, software engineer
K1BGH...Art.....Restores
cars and radio gear, nice fella...
N1XW.....Mike-easy
going, Harley riding kind of
guy!
K1JEK-Joe...Easy going, can
be found at most ham flea market
...Cobra Antenna builder..
KA1GJU-
Kriss- Tower climbing pilot who
cooks on the side at
Hosstrader's...
W1GWU-Bob....one
of the Hosstrader's original
organizers, 75 meter regular,
Tech Wizard!!!
K1PV-
Roger....75 meter regular, easy
going guy...
W1XER...Scott....easy
going guy, loves to split
cordwood and hunt...
WS1D-
Warren- "Windy" - Bullnet
KB1VX-
Barry- the picture says it all,
he loves food!
KC1BBU-
Bob....the Mud Duck from the
Cape Cod Canal, making a lot of
noise.
W1STS- Scott...philosopher,
hat
connoisseur,
KB1JXU-
Matthew...75 meter regular...our
token liberal Democrat out of VT
KA1BXB-Don....75
meter Regular......residing on
the Cape of Cod, flying planes
and playing radio
KMIG-Rick....75
Meter Regular....teaches the
future of mankind, it's scary!
K1PEK-Steve..Founder
of Davis-RF....my best friend
from high school
K9AEN-John...Easy
going ham found at all the ham
fests
K1BXI- John.........Dr.
Linux....fine amateur radio op
....wealth of experience...
K1BQT.....Rick....very
talented ham, loves his
politics, has designed gear for
MFJ...
W1KQ- Jim- Retired
Air Force
Controller...told quite a few
pilots where to go!
N1OOL-Jeff-
The 3936 master plumber and
ragchewer...
K1BRS-Bruce-
Computer Tech of 3936...multi
talented kidney stone passing
ham...
K1BGH- Arthur, Cape Cod,
construction company/ice cream
shop, hard working man....
W1VAK-
Ed, Cape Cod, lots of experience
in all areas, once was a Jacques
Cousteus body guard....
KD1ZY-
Warren....3910 regular with
WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE
signal
N1YSU-
Bob, easy going, kind of
like Mr. Rogers until politics
are brought up then watch out...
K1BNH-
Bill- Used to work for a bottled
gas company-we think he has been
around nitrous oxide to long .
Silent KeyVA2GJB-
Graham...one of the good 14313
guys back in the day.
Silent Key
K1BHV-
David...PITA
Silent Key
W1JSH-
Mort...Air Force man
Silent Key
K1MAN--Glen....PITA
Silent KeyKB1CJG-"Cobby"-
Low key gent can be found on
many of the 75 meter
nets.........
Silent KeyWB1AAZ-
Mike, Antrim, NH, auto parts
truck driver-retired
Silent KeyWB1DVD-
Gil....Gilly..Gilmore.....easy
going, computer parts selling,
New England Ham..
Silent Key
W1OKQ-
Jack....3936 Wheeling and
Dealing......keeping the boys on
there toes....
Silent Key
W1TCS-
Terry....75 meter
regular, wealth of electronic
knowledge...
Silent Key
WIPNR-
Mack....DXCC Master, worked them
all!.. 3864 regular for many
years...
Silent Key
WILIM-
Hu....SK at 92... 3864
regular for many years...
Silent Key
N1SIE-
Dave....Loves to fly
Silent Key:N1WBD-
Big Bob- Tallest ham, at 6'10",
of the 3864 group
Silent Key:
W1FSK-Steve....Navy
Pilot, HRO Salesman, has owned
every radio ever built!
Silent Key:
W4NTI-Vietnam
Dan....far from easy going cw
and ssb op on 14275/313
Silent Key:K1FUB-Bill-
Loved ham radio.... |
